Probably wants to spend his last few years at home with his family rather than spending 70% of his time on the other side of the country.

I guess that makes some sense. But he's a super rich guy, why not hire someone he trusts to just run the team and spend more time with his fambam?

Dunno, just seems like weird timing after nabbing Chrisp Aul and becoming a lowkey contender.

I'm not sure he's one of those guys that can step back, he's basically refused to have a president of basketball operations. I don't think his kids want anything to do with being nba owners either, at that point he's basically holding onto it simply for the sake of holding onto it.

He's also not super rich by nba standards (bottom 5 amongst owners), the team represents about 75% of his net worth._________________Entertainment comes before Sport in ESPN

It's because Chris Paul went there. Every team Chris Paul goes to eventually goes up for sale. FACT._________________Blake Griffin's ankles beware....Randle is coming
The youngins are YOUNG, let them learn.

It was a surprise this week when Leslie Alexander decided to put his Houston Rockets up for sale. A number of people are scrambling to put together groups to buy the team, and Mutombo is among them he told Mark Berman of Fox 26 in Houston.

“I’m working on it,” Mutombo said in an interview with FOX 26 Sports. “I’m talking to a lot of people already since (Monday). We’ll see. I’m just talking to the people who can cut the check and they can make me be part of it. I’m working on that….

“The Rockets are a great franchise. They have a great team. They’ve got great coaches, great basketball players, great staff. Whoever is coming in, it’s not like they’re going to have to rebuild it. I’m trying to convince some people about trying to buy this team. It’s one of the best franchises right now. It’s really the right time.”

Which is why multiple groups are expected to join together in bids.

While Forbes estimates the Rockets’ worth at $1.65 billion — eighth most in the NBA — most observers around the league expect the team to sell for more than that. The team is in the 10th largest television market in the nation, it has long been stable and built up a large and loyal fan base, and with two superstars — James Harden and Chris Paul — the Rockets are one of the NBA’s top four teams by any measure and that means good gate and sponsorship money in the arena for the next few years. This team is going to be profitable, which is attractive to potential buyers.

Another reason there might be multiple bidders driving up the price — Alexander bought the team 24 years ago for $85 million. Sports franchises have proven good investments over the years.

Mutombo has shown himself to be a pretty shrewd business man over the years, but there are a limited number of people who can either buy a team at the expected prices or put together a group who can. Most likely the winning bidder will be a person or two people taking on most of the risk, with a handful of minority investors. Among those putting up lesser money could be a former player or NBA executive with ties to the league who can be the face of the operation — such as with Grant Hill in Atlanta. That is likely the role Mutombo seeks.

We’ll see if Mutombo can pull this off, and if he can’t what other groups will emerge in the process.

I think there are enough LG members we can pool our assets and buy the team. I will be team president. Larry Coon can be GM._________________Courage doesn't always roar.
Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying...'I will try again tomorrow.'

“Many groups now have called me and want me involved,” Olajuwon, now a Rockets team ambassador, said. “With two of the groups, I’m doing my background check to see if that is a possibility. Just an association would be great.

“I’m still with the organization now. I have a contract with the Rockets, not to be in an ownership position. But if the opportunity opens itself, it will be something great.”

Longtime Rockets owner Leslie Alexander announced last month he wants to sell the team. A number of groups have been sniffing around the process so far, which is fairly early on. Forbes estimated the value of the Rockets at $1.65 billion, but considering the quality of the team on the court right now (and the money that generates) and the stability of the NBA with the new television deal, means this sale could break the record sum Steve Ballmer paid for the Clippers ($2 billion).

Olajuwon obviously could not buy the team on his own, but could have a role as the face of the ownership group, sort of like the role Grant Hill has in Atlanta. Olajuwon lives in the United Kingdom now with his family but still works for the Rockets.

I don't know about $1.65B, much less $2B. I'd be surprised if a team outside of the top five markets went for more than about $1.2B. But we shall see.

These values are overinflated. Idon't think revenue can sustain these sky high valuations as people move away from TV. The next TV contract is going to put a damper on revenues and valuations_________________"It was tough," Kobe Bryant said. "But when it got really tough for me, I just checked myself in."